The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 12 suspected armed robbers in connection with the killing of Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, a staff member of Arise TV, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami. The murders occurred during a robbery at Unique Apartment in Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

These arrests were made following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to security agencies to capture those responsible for the killings.

According to counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the suspects were apprehended by the Scorpion Squad, under the leadership of ACP Victor O. Godfrey, after being tracked using digital and reconstructive intelligence.

The tragic incident took place on September 29, 2025, at approximately 3:30 AM, when the victims were attacked in their residence.

The suspects have been identified as follows: Shamsudeen Hassan (from Malumfashi, Katsina State), Hassan Isah (22, from Zaria, Kaduna State), Abubakar Alkamu (27, from Musawa, Katsina State), Sani Sirajo (20, from Malumfashi, Katsina State), Mashkur Jamili (28, from Igabi, Kaduna State), Suleiman Badamasi (21, from Malumfashi, Katsina State), Abdulsalam Saleh (from Katsina LGA, Katsina State), Zaharadeen Muhammad (23, from Chikun, Kaduna State), Musa Adamu (30, from Malumfashi, Katsina State), Sumayya Mohammed (27, from Sammaka, Kaduna State), Isah Abdulrahman (25, from Zaria, Kaduna State), and Musa Umar (31, from Maiduguri, Borno State).

Police sources indicate that four suspects—Shamsudeen, Hassan, Alkamu, and Sirajo—were arrested shortly after the incident and confessed to their involvement. Shamsudeen allegedly admitted to shooting the security guard, while Sirajo claimed he attempted to restrain Maduagwu as she fell from the third floor. Shamsudeen also confessed to driving away with the victims’ white Honda CR-V after the robbery. The suspects reportedly each shared N200,000 from the proceeds of their crime.

Recovered items from the gang included one fabricated AK-47 rifle, 36 rounds of live ammunition, one homemade pistol, one pump-action gun, two cartridges, four mobile phones, two knives, a cutlass, and nine flashlights.

Further arrests occurred on October 8, 2025, when operatives intercepted three gang members, including Musa Umar and Hassan Isah, while they were planning another robbery in Maitama.

The police have confirmed that all 12 suspects are currently in custody and have admitted to the crimes. The FCT Commissioner of Police praised the Scorpion Squad for their prompt action and assured residents that the Command would continue its efforts to combat violent crime in the territory.